“Tejashwi Took ‘Extremist’ Word from Pakistan,” says Owaisi
AIMIM chief accuses RJD leader of religious bias after being labelled an “extremist” ahead of Bihar polls
- Owaisi hits back at Tejashwi Yadav’s alleged “extremist” remark
- Accuses RJD leader of “using Pakistan’s language” and showing bias
- AIMIM to contest 100 Bihar Assembly seats after failed alliance talks
- Bihar goes to polls on November 6 and 11; results on November 14
GG News Bureau
Patna, 3rd Nov: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday launched a fierce counterattack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, alleging that Yadav “took the word extremist from Pakistan” after reportedly calling him one in an interview.
Speaking at a rally in Bihar’s Kishanganj, Owaisi mocked Yadav’s command over English, saying, “Babu, ‘extremist’ ko tum zara angrezi mein likh le (Can you even write the word extremist in English)?” He accused Yadav of religious prejudice, asserting, “A beard on my face and a cap on my head makes me an extremist? This is an insult to Seemanchal’s people.”
The AIMIM later shared an audio clip on X of Yadav’s interview, claiming it proved the RJD leader’s “discriminatory attitude.” Owaisi further said, “Tejashwi is speaking the language of Pakistan,” calling his remark an affront to Muslim voters.
The war of words follows the breakdown of seat-sharing talks between Owaisi’s AIMIM and the Mahagathbandhan alliance led by the RJD. Owaisi said his party had sought six seats but was ignored, prompting AIMIM to contest 100 of Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats independently.
“We wrote to Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav but got no response. Now AIMIM will build its own front,” Owaisi said. The party’s Bihar chief, Akhtarul Iman, added that both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan would “realise AIMIM’s presence” after the elections.
In the 2020 Bihar polls, AIMIM won five seats in the Seemanchal region, though four MLAs later defected to the RJD. Analysts say Owaisi is seeking to consolidate Muslim votes in Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Araria — districts where Muslims account for nearly 18% of the population.
Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.
